Several video game makers have committed to deliver titles for the second version of the Xbox console, Microsoft said Friday.

Publishers including Activision, Electronic Arts, Eidos and Ubisoft will offer new games for the next-generation Xbox, Microsoft said in a statement.

The next Xbox console is widely expected to be out by year's end. The company has gradually been giving out more detail on the console technology and games for the device, such a focus on high-definition graphics. More details are expected at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next month in Los Angeles.

Microsoft introduced the current Xbox game console, the first model, in late 2001. As of Dec. 31, the company had sold 19.9 million consoles worldwide, 13.2 million of which were in North America, 5 million in Europe and 1.7 million in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.

While it is working to release the new console, the current Xbox still gets strong support, Microsoft said. This year, Xbox game publishers will ship more than 200 games for the existing console, and new games will be published through 2007, according to Microsoft.